fadedout

That doesnt matter. Recording or not, the cameras are still powered up and sending video to the dvr/computer, and the dvr/computer will still have to be powered on. I figured that with a DVR/camera setup, significantly less energy would be used when the hard drive is not use, but point well taken. And of course laptops are a major power sink if I go that route. Using the vehicle battery is not even an option. The worst that could happen is the aux batteries die. I'm definitely going to use at least two deep cycle batteries in parallel. I hope charging works out, I don't want to have to plug it into the wall every couple of days. I guess i'll go see some car audio guys - they'll know about this. I'll need to work out the numbers and find an acceptable compromise between recording time, batteries, and time between charges. Probably just direct DC-DC converters to run all the gear. Inverter if the DVR needs it. Right now i'm really just trying to find some great B/W cameras and a DVR.

Yeah I saw that in my searches... it does seem a reasonable solution and has alarm input etc. Cost is somewhat prohibitive for what is included and it looks like something I could throw together with my own components. Will definitely be taking a few ideas from there.

Thanks for the reply Scruit. I actually looked over many of your posts researching this issue - very informative. I live in an apartment in an extremely urban setting. Depending on the time or day of the week, I may end up getting a parking spot right outside or 4 blocks away. Its really that bad, and hence my dilemma. For the moment a home system just couldn't work unfortunately. I'm thinking 2 dedicated heavy duty 12v (marine?) batteries with a relay if necessary to complete the charger circuit when the vehicle is running. Since the setup is only recording motion, i'm hoping that will help out a bit with battery life. Unfortunately depending on where it gets parked there could be motion all day and night. I like the idea of the camera pointing up with the fisheye, but that opens up a few more issues. It would look absurd on top of the vehicle. Since it is up so high, a car would have to be a fair distance away before the plate would even be in view. My idea is to have cameras essentially at license plate level sticking out from the underside (ie. within the rear bumper). If a car backs into me it should be close enough to record the license plate, but that may be wishful thinking. I think a much better view would be to have a camera on each corner of the car, but then i'd have to somehow splice the 2 rear images together for a backup camera. But it would give a great FOV if done successfully. I don't need to get every angle, but with 3 or 4 cams at plate level I figure that at least one of them might catch the plate or at the very least the color and model of the car. I have a scene playing in my head about a car trying to do a U turn in the street or pulling out of a driveway hitting my car and in the process it seems like the plate should flash in front of the camera some time in the loop de loo. If it was a corner cam it would probably get a very quick shot of it driving down the street as well. Have you used cameras close to license plate level on any of your systems? So if a car slowly backs into you and then slowly backs away, is there a time when it has a clear decipherable view of the plates? Of course this is wildly dependent on just about everything, but are you trying to say that you have tried this without luck? I'm not really interested in reading someones plate from 30 feet away, but more when it is in the process of hitting and then pulling away (but maybe what you are trying to say is that they might need to be 30 ft away to be in the FOV, and then by that time the plate is unreadable?) I think the easiest and cheapest setup (since I already have alot of the gear) may actually be an onboard laptop in the trunk with video card. Would allow more complex sensor and recording setups, USB cameras, and easy wifi. Allowing GPS data overlay with less hardware, or even the splicing and display of the 2 rear video feeds onto an LCD. Would be great for future automation or multimedia additions. The problem with PC's as we all know is reliability. I just don't trust it 24/7 to record motion without having to reboot or crash etc. I know way too many people who have had their mirrors ripped off, hoods jumped on, panels bashed in, windows broken, or otherwise vandalized. You see this kind of damage all the time, but i'm stuck here for the moment. I'm just dreaming about getting restitution and having some punk stuck with a felony hit and run. If its even remotely feasible then it will be totally worth it. I actually had a bike stolen right in front of a CCTV security firm here. I saw cameras fixed in the direction and contacted them for any footage but they never responded, figures.

A little background: I live in a neighborhood with too many people - people that are reckless, drunk, and often poor. My girlfriend's Lexus has been hit three times in the past 2 years parked in her driveway or on the street - not one person left a note. I'm getting a new Land Rover and this won't be happening if I can help it. It would also record any accidents while driving or help when in reverse with the rear mounted camera and LCD. I'd like to install a camera on each side of the car that records 24/7. Mounting shouldn't be a problem. The side cameras will likely be mounted in the windows, but they might end up below the door if tinting is an issue. This should be the perfect level for recording license plates. Since most plates are illuminated i'm hoping color cameras will be good enough at night. I could easily switch to all B/W if tests prove otherwise. Here are some of the elements i'd possibly like to incorporate: 3 color cameras B/W camera with IR LED's for rear DVR recorder - will need some sort of device or setting that records the video stream when motion is detected in any camera marine batteries for power - inverter may be necessary - battery charger for when vehicle is in use - LCD screen to display the rear view camera while driving I can easily construct or modify a commercially available enclosure and create mounts/dampers to secure each component. So many of these devices are just complete crap - poor quality imagery and cheap plastic construction. I'd like to use high quality cameras, wiring, recorder, and wiring. This will be integrally wired throughout the interior of the vehicle, but I still haven't worked it all out so I may need some wireless. There is space behind a panel where the navigation system normally is, but since I don't have factory nav the DVR will fit perfectly. Unfortunately the marine battery will need an enclosure it seems. Does anyone have any info or links regarding a similar custom setup? I have seen commercial options but they are such poorly integrated from cheap components and overpriced. Cameras are extremely inexpensive on eBay and other sources. Can you recommend a quality camera? My biggest problem is finding a quality DVR unit. I need something that will be able to take the video input and begin recording at any motion. It will also need to display a feed onto an LCD. I am still not sure how to have the LCD power on with the vehicle, as opposed to 24/7 along with the recorder, but I supposed a manual power button for the LCD would suffice. It would be great to connect to a laptop for analysis or even transfer to USB stick or memory card for police. Can anyone recommend anything for this system? Possibly an audio trigger to record? Is there an affordable but QUALITY 'command center' or DVR type unit that you could refer me to? Not more of the same overpriced plastic crap from someone' 'home business' please. When you are spending big bucks you want it to be from a reputable manufacturer. It would be super cool if the unit could use a ethernet/lan cable to hook up to a wifi unit to connect to my home wireless internet when parked outside. That way I could always check to make sure my baby is safe from anywhere in the world with internet.